News Focus
- Walter Sabatini recalls hiring Luis Enrique for AS Roma in 2011 after scouting him at Barcelona B
- The Spanish manager faced severe criticism from supporters for substituting club icon Francesco Totti
- Despite understanding the risks, Luis Enrique maintained his tactical principles without compromise
- Daniele De Rossi praised the coach’s innovative training sessions that challenged veteran players
- The current Paris Saint-Germain boss regularly rode his bicycle across Rome to reach the training complex
Walter Sabatini has shared remarkable details about Luis Enrique’s brief but intense spell at AS Roma, explaining how the Spanish coach accepted professional danger to enforce his football beliefs. The former sporting director gave an interview to Spanish publication As, which was reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Sabatini first learned about Luis Enrique through football agent Dario Canovi. The agent suggested that the Barcelona B manager wanted to test his abilities in Italian football. Sabatini sent scouts Frederic Massara and Pasquale Sensibile to monitor the coach’s work. After receiving positive reports, Sabatini travelled to Barcelona himself. He immediately decided to make the appointment. “Nobody had ever considered him as a Serie A coach,” Sabatini explained. “He was a unique figure in Italian football.”
The most controversial aspect of Luis Enrique’s reign involved his treatment of Francesco Totti. The coach frequently left the Roma captain on the substitutes’ bench. This decision caused anger among the club’s passionate supporters. Sabatini stated that challenging Totti’s position was considered a “mortal sin” at the Stadio Olimpico. However, Luis Enrique refused to modify his approach to save his job. “He knew perfectly well that putting him in question meant digging his own grave,” Sabatini said. “Despite everything, he did not want to betray his ideals for personal gain.”
Interestingly, Totti himself reportedly respected the coach’s courage. The World Cup winner nicknamed Luis Enrique “Zichichi”, referencing a famous Italian scientist, as a sign of admiration. Nevertheless, the fans continued to boo the manager during matches.
World Cup champion Daniele De Rossi also reacted strongly to the new training regime. Sabatini recalled that the midfielder would visit his office after sessions feeling amazed. De Rossi told him: “In training he develops so many concepts that I feel like I have never played football before.” The player showed genuine enthusiasm for this different style of football.
Sabatini also highlighted the coach’s physical dedication. Although he lived far from the facility, Luis Enrique chose to cycle to the Trigoria training ground each day. This habit demonstrated the same determined character that has now brought him success at Paris Saint-Germain.